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George Zimmerman considers defamtion lawsuit against NBC

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    Legal panel weighs in on the case

  • Duration 5:16
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Philly -- back -- session on the docket today the man who shot and killed unarmed teenager train on -- taking a major TV network to court.

In an update to a story we've covered extensively here.

George Zimmerman who is still awaiting trial for second degree murder is filing a lawsuit against NBC we are told.

The complaint over the networks selective editing of a 911 call that aired in the spring.

Back in February mr.

Zimmerman was a neighborhood watch captain in Florida that's when he shot the seventeen year old he claims he did in self defense.

-- called 911 before he pulled the trigger now here is the edited version.

Of the call that aired on NBC.

This guy looks like he does no good.

He looks a lot.

While the network forced to launch an investigation.

After that clip aired because.

Here's how Zimmerman -- call actually went.

This guy looks like she's got Lugar is -- -- -- homes in the training just.

Walking around look and well.

And the guys do what barker -- And look more.

And BC news has since left let three people go over that but is that enough the -- apparently thinks not.

Joining me now Mercedes Colwin Fox News legal analyst and mark -- -- is a former prosecutor now defense attorney mark I understand.

You have spoken with Zimmerman attorney what can you tell us.

That's correct well I first learned that though it lawsuit is not definitely going to be filed their quote.

Contemplating.

Whether to file it and I know that they have some hurdles in proving this case and actually getting damages.

Not to say that NBC didn't screw up they admitted liability and quite frankly that type of editing we can come to expect.

From shows like honey boo boo and keeping up -- the Kevorkian's.

You know I'm not from NBC.

Saying -- -- you know.

Yet but but but this what they did was outrageous and that's that all of -- called.

But Mercedes if they decide to file this lawsuit.

Will it prevail because Zimmerman apparently -- has the claim that he was defamed by this.

And you know rightly or wrongly is a very high standard to prove that.

It is -- -- you have to show actual malice but frankly happy to not show malice in their reckless disregard for the truth here.

When you have such a full and complete pic which they did Specter as Zimmerman if -- white black or Hispanic he says he looks black.

It was such a botched up job.

By by the network it was.

Unbelievable how do you blame it on NBC as opposed to the person who may be -- it.

Well certainly because if you idiots ratifying what due diligence did you -- -- -- you know what you're editing floor is doing when they do these types of cuts if they don't.

How that background how well then what TV network -- what TV network has the management in the edit bay.

I mean this in these things are usually done by producers are editors that they don't make decisions and in this case a bad one mark.

Yet that is the challenge -- -- lawsuits are not easy to win.

And the issue will always be.

How was at George Zimmerman harmed.

For a moment he was they created hysteria people thought he was clearly -- races in spite of the FBI later finding there was no evidence of racism.

But ultimately people continue to make their own inferences.

Based on the facts that he shot and killed an African American unarmed teen with nothing but the scandals -- the and the -- state.

I don't I'm even though I obesity that's right I don't think the question the case would be whether Zimmerman was harmed he was he was unharmed and the -- -- and I think that's in dispute.

The question is whether what you can pin this on NBC because a management in a company's medically liable for what a -- does.

And also the question is whether he can make the case because Zimmerman.

I think NBC would argue was a public figure when this happened and -- standard for a public figure they're required to recover a defamation claim.

If you have an actual -- is proving NBC.

If -- -- comes in can't -- it made it a mistake a bad one but a mistake.

-- -- -- Do you know what -- but look at what -- actually did they made this man look like he was targeting him because he was black -- he -- lifted because of the color of his skin.

It was so outrageous.

If.

You know but it wasn't a reaction that means that that I say that what was the next -- reaction that once it was brought to light.

They hire three people -- yes some would say they -- -- they're -- I know the -- people believe that it.

What they will look at this see what did you do to prevent something like this happening this is something that -- extreme.

What did you put in -- -- management does all across the board become liable culpable in the -- of the situation if they don't have the proper due diligence.

What the oversight what do you.

Look at using standard in the industry and I am telling you.

-- Don't networks and senior management into the edit bay to approve the way it quotes season producer that's what they said was at issue here.

Is working with an editor to edited -- so -- they had some knowledge that this season producer at his editor.

Were bad news and -- had a history of doing this mark -- pin it on the network.

That's the challenge incompetence could be one reason that they can point to -- choices.

But to rise the level of malice of it was that easy there'd be a lot of checks being written it just doesn't happen all that often.

Well.

We shall see good debate guys good to see you next thing.

Coming up reaction.

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